Stanford Summer Bridge GRA opportunities

New Summer Bridge Program Graduate Residential Assistant (GRA) Position 

The new summer bridge program is designed to support incoming first-year and incoming transfer students from across the country and worldwide who may be the first in their families to attend college, who have attended high schools with limited course offerings, or who simply feel that further preparation will increase their confidence in the Fall quarter and beyond.  It will offer students the opportunity to participate either in an online session or to take part in a residential academic experience from early August right until NSO.  Beyond the summer offerings, the students will participate in a first-year seminar, comprehensive advising, and workshops and events throughout the academic year.

We anticipate approximately 100 incoming frosh and first-year transfers will participate as Summer Bridge Scholars in the on-campus portion of the summer program for the first five weeks of classes; an additional 25-50 students who participated in the online classes will join them on campus for a sixth week of co-curricular programming and community-building.  

We are looking for dedicated and enthusiastic students to join our team as Graduate Residential Assistants (GRAs) for the on-campus portion of the summer program (August 2, 2025 - September 13, 2025); GRAs would live in the dorms with students during the program.  GRAs would also attend on-campus training the week before the program started (anticipated July 27 - August 1). 

Position Description

The Graduate Residential Assistants (GRAs) support the overall mission of the program by fostering an environment that contributes to the academic, intellectual, personal, and social development of the Bridge Scholars.  More specifically, GRAs live in the dorms with the students and the RAs, providing program support during our on-campus session; fostering an inclusive environment; creating opportunities for cohort- and community-building for the Scholars; developing and facilitating a weekly summer seminar for Bridge Scholars during the residential summer program; providing mentorship for both students and student staff; and serving as a first line of response to residential issues and concerns. 

Responsibilities

Spring Quarter 

• Attend 1-2 staff orientation and community-building sessions
• Support outreach efforts for incoming frosh
• Plan and develop summer seminar curriculum
• Attend and participate in bi-weekly staff meetings
• Participate in outreach efforts to admitted students
• Support planning the residential experience for students
• Plan and facilitate a student staff community building event

Summer Program

• Help ensure that the Bridge Scholars’ experience in the program aligns with program goals, creating an inclusive environment that promotes intellectual, social and personal growth
• Mentor both Bridge Scholars and student staff, sharing insights about navigating academics at Stanford and personal insight/experiences about building a sense of belonging and community at Stanford
• Live in the dorms, providing oversight to student staff and Bridge Scholars in the residential space, maintaining dorm safety and fulfilling on-call duties, anticipated 6-7 days/nights a week.
• Provide a first point of contact for student staff for escalated concerns with the student cohort, notifying Professional Staff, and directing to additional resources as appropriate
• With student staff, plan and facilitate community-building, cohort-building, and individual reflection activities for students, including an off-campus trip during the final week of the program
• Attend and participate in staff trainings and meetings
• Coordinate and lead in-person and online seminars on a variety of topics (i.e., goal-setting, academic planning, self-care, etc.)
• Oversee study hall, ensuring students are on task, answering questions, etc.

Commitment and compensation

For the duration of the summer session we expect that GRAs will not engage in other paid employment, owing to the level of commitment required.

• $28/hour for work during spring quarter
• Summer stipend: $6,300
• Housing and meals provided during staff training, the program, and NSO week

Eligibility

Graduate students who are currently enrolled at Stanford and will be enrolled for the 2025-2026 academic year are eligible to apply. Applicants from all disciplines are welcome.  Prior participation in a Stanford summer program is not a requirement.

Required qualifications: 

• A bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Excellent organizational, interpersonal, and problem-solving skills
• Ability to take initiative and work effectively in a fast-paced, team setting
• Commitment to supporting and working with students from under-resourced high schools, a low income background, and/or who may be the first in their family to attend a four-year university.

Preferred qualifications

• Eligible for graduate student work and enrolled for the 2025-2026 academic year (PhD students preferred)
• Experience working in a setting with diverse populations (particularly FLI students), supervising/working with undergraduates in a college residential setting, and/or teaching undergraduates
• Experience managing conflict between students and student staff members
• Knowledge of student development theory, education, and curriculum development

Application Process

Please submit the following materials to us at summerbridge@stanford.edu  by March 31 at 11:59PM.

• A cover letter detailing your interest in working with the new Summer Bridge Program and your relevant skills/experiences
• A recent resume
• Contact information (name, email, phone, and relationship to you) for three references

Please contact us at  summerbridge@stanford.edu with any questions about this opportunity.